DETECTIVES are appealing for information after thieves broke into the Kent Fire and Rescue Service headquarters at Tovil, near Maidstone.

The offenders broke a panel off the front door to one of the buildings and stole a quantity of distinctive property worth several thousand pounds.

The property included:

* A bronze figurine of a woman on circular ebonised wood plinth. Overall height about 22ins. Brass plate at foot of figure engraved: “Union des sapeurs pompiers se la region Lyonnaise Prix Decerne a la brigade de Gillingham.”

* Hythe Town Fire Bell. About 16ins across mouth and 17ins in overall height. It is embossed “1774”.

* Edenbridge Fire Bell. About 16ins high, diameter 15ins. “J.WARNER & SONS LONDON 1876” cast in metal around bottom of bell. Complete with clapper and ironwork and remains of a timber beam which formed the hanging gantry.

* Acetylene headlamp in brass “DIETZ” Majestic made in New York, 8ins diameter.

* Silver plate or white metal helmet with badge lettered DRFB.

* Brass helmets – one British with cross axe badge lacquered finish, one British without badge with oak leaves embossed on the sides of the comb, and one French.

* Firemens' axes – one German dress axe, approx 16ins with wooden handle, one engraved “Fur 25 Jahr dienstz D Freiw Feuerwehr Bad Oeynhausen Sept 26”.

Other items were also stolen during the burglary. The overall value of these stolen items is difficult to determine, due to their rarity.

Detectives believe there were three offenders and that they would have needed some form of transport to remove the property. The break-in occurred overnight between June 1 and 2.

>B>Anyone with information is askedd to contact Maidstone and Malling Police on 01622 608189, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 – this call is free and confidential.